Dutschke, 42, who has been in jail since April, was charged in November with trying to get someone to send more letters containing the deadly substance on his behalf. He initially denied responsibility for the letters and is also accused of trying to frame an Elvis impersonator named Paul Kevin Curtis for the attacks. Curtis, whom Wicker once hired to entertain at a party, was arrested but all charges were later dropped.

The most serious charge, production of a biological weapon, carries a potential life sentence.

A reporter covering the Oxford, Miss., hearing for WREG reported that Dutschke was in tears during his appearance.